Condemned Brockton dog's fate remains undecided

Tuesday

Sep 2, 2014 at 4:47 PMSep 3, 2014 at 7:24 AM

Staff Reporter

BROCKTON – City officials are discussing the fate of Niko, a city Rottweiler facing euthanasia for biting its neighbor. Mayor Bill Carpenter is working with Brockton Animal Control and others involved in the situation to determine what should happen with the dog, Chief of Staff Robert Buckley said Tuesday. “The dog will live another day,” Buckley said Tuesday. “We’re still investigating all possibilities.” Niko was surrendered by its owner, Jeremy Hayes, to the city on Aug. 20 after the dog bit Hayes’ neighbor, Harold Swanson, in Hayes’ backyard. The incident occurred about 11 a.m. on Aug. 20 in the backyard of Hayes’ Almon Avenue home, off Pearl Street on Brockton’s West Side. Swanson, 80, said he walked over to Hayes’ backyard to speak with his neighbor when Niko – who was in Hayes’ backyard and on a runner – broke free and bit him. Swanson said he suffered a 2-inch-by-4-inch bite on his forearm. He was sent to the hospital, and said he is taking antibiotics as part of his treatment. Before the incident, Niko had never attacked or bitten anyone, Hayes and his family said. Swanson said Niko hadn’t shown any aggression to ward him before the dog bit him.